Opera may often seem an artform rooted in city life (or out-of-town events designed for city-dwellers), but tenor-turned-impresario Gavan Ring is determined to change that. This summer, he is devoting his energies to mounting Puccini’s opera ‘La Bohème’ in his beloved hometown, Cahersiveen, as part of the local Cahersiveen Music and Arts Festival.

Gavan Ring (photo credit © Frances Marshall)

Ring was inspired by performing in Cork Opera House’s special production of the opera in 2022, which itself had emerged from performances of scenes from ‘La Bohème’ given outdoors during lockdown. Directed by Conor Hanratty, this staging brought together singers Rachel Croash and Emma Nash, alongside Gavan Ring himself, with narration by Cork actor Éadaoin O’Donoghue. The singers were among the first of Cork Opera House’s unique Cara O’Sullivan Associate Artists, a programme designed to develop artists and contribute to local community life through music. Transferring this production to Cahersiveen with members of the original cast takes its adaptability to a new level.

For Ring, this is also a key moment: ‘I’m so grateful to Cork Opera House for coming on board for this – linking up with our biggest provincial urban hub and transporting the same experience that audiences are accustomed to in Cork city centre to the heart of rural South Kerry. It’s a perfect urban/rural, cross-provincial partnership and I think it can absolutely be replicated around Ireland.’

This semi-staged concert performance will be conducted by John O’Brien, with the Orchestra of Cork Opera House, and cast also includes Brendan Collins, Rory Dunne, Malachy Frame and David Howes.

Puccini’s ‘La Bohème’ will be at Daniel O’Connell Memorial Church, Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry on Sunday 4 August.

Tickets are €32, and are available from Cork Opera House at corkoperahouse.ie